The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi alumnus is expected to guide agency’s mission to foster open, transparent, competitive, and financially sound markets
The United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has promoted Indian American official Rahul Varma as the Acting Director of the Division of Market Oversight.
In his new role, Varma is expected to guide the DMO’s mission to foster open, transparent, competitive, and financially sound markets, while upholding regulatory compliance and market oversight.
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“Rahul has ably served the CFTC for more than a decade and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this new role,” said acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham announcing his appointment. “I thank Rahul for his continued leadership in DMO.”
Varma’s promotion comes after over a decade of service at the commission. Varma joined the CFTC in 2013 as an Associate Director for Market Surveillance in DMO, with responsibility for energy, metals, agricultural, and softs markets.
In 2017, he played a key role in starting the Market Intelligence Branch in DMO and served as its Acting Deputy Director. In 2024, he took on the role of Deputy Director for the combined Market Intelligence and Product Review branches.
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Prior to joining CFTC, Varma held risk management and consulting roles in the private sector. He also worked at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in the Office of Market Oversight and Investigations — now known as the Office of Enforcement.
Born in India, Varma has a Bachelor’s of Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, a master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University, and an MBA from George Washington University.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is an independent U.S. government agency that regulates futures, options, and swaps markets. Established in 1974, it ensures market integrity, transparency, and financial stability by promoting fair, competitive, and efficient trading in derivatives